Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My boss's cat just had a litter of kittens and she posted pictures up at work. Of course, I had to get two of them...they are just too adorable! I've never had a cat on my own. I had one with a roommate a few years back, but it was a full grown cat and already litter trained...so I'm still trying to figure out how to properly train these little guys. They're 6 weeks old...which everyone I've asked around town said was the right time to adopt them. But I think they were taken from their mother and siblings too soon! I've read on here now that you shouldn't take them until at least 8-12 weeks. Well, I can't take them back now so I want to do the best I can to help them get used to being on their own.

I think they were still nursing when I took them...although my boss said she had seen them eat cat food. At first, when I brought them home Sunday they didn't seem to want to eat much. One would eat the canned food fairly well, but the other wouldn't touch it. Now I have them both eating the canned food just fine, but they won't touch any of the dry kitten food I set out. That's not a huge deal...I just want to switch them over gradually within the next few weeks (that canned food stinks up my apartment pretty well!).

My biggest problem with the kittens is that they only use the litter box when I'm watching them in the same room. If I sit down at the computer for a while, or stop paying direct attention to them for a bit, they will hide behind the couch. They seem to have made that their home. If they hear my voice, they will immediately come out and meow, play, eat, and use the litter box...but when I'm away they just stay there under the couch. Which means that they aren't eating and they're not using the litter box when I'm not looking (I've found a "suprise" behind the couch twice). I know they're probably just scared and not used to being away from their mother. They do seem very attached to me already...very loving, playful kitties! Is this something normal that will correct itself in time, or is there anything I can do to help them adjust?

Sorry this is so long...thanks for all the help! I'll post pics as soon as I get my camera back from the Canon doctor ^_^

First of all, yes...you are right. They are too young to be away from their Mother and although they were eating kitten food they were also still nursing. And they miss her. They have obviously transferred their affections to you as their Mother. Therefore just as they were trained, when you are not there to protect and provide for them, they hide for safety. They should grow out of this. Is the litter box close to where they hide? They are babies and if it is to far away, they won't be able to make it in time. As for the food, dry food is probably a little much for them and they aren't real sure what it is. You could get some KMR at the pet store and put it in the dry food to soften it for them but as long as they are eating canned they are ok. Looking forward to pictures of your new babies
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PHWildCat/Tessa and 21 cats, 1 dog and even a hamster
Tabitha, in my heart forever.... earned her wings 6/26/05, Samantha, the bestest whineameezer...earned her wings 4/7/06.
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A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

I bought a nice, cozy kitty bed and put their food, bed, and litter box all in the computer room and that seems to be working out very well! They've started sleeping on their bed now rather than behind the couch and they've been using the litter box consistantly and eating well. I didn't even think about the dry food being too hard for their little teeth...it is softer than adult cat food, but I think they're still too young for it.

...Now all I have to worry about is them chewing on the cords behind my computer! They haven't done any damage yet (thankfully!) but they sure do like to play with them. I'm going to get some cat toys that will, hopefully, keep their atttention away from them. The reason I chose this room is so that I can shut the door and not worry about them going back to the couch and choosing it as their litter box again...the other other rooms I have with doors are the bathroom (way too small) and my bedroom (same problem as the living room...they'll hide under the bed and poop).

It seems that they have two modes: Sleep and play (they wrestle each other constantly). They're sleeping all curled up together on the kitty bed now. So cute!

Yup, six weeks is pushing it a bit to take them from their mom. The canned cat food is fine, but some formula wouldnt hurt. And hiding is normal. Just try to be sure the litterbox and food and water is nearby if you are gone for long...as they get older and more used to their new surroundings they will come out more...
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PHTessie

what kind of formula should I get?

Most pet stores sell KMR. Kitten milk replacement formula. That should work.
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PHWildCat/Tessa and 21 cats, 1 dog and even a hamster
Tabitha, in my heart forever.... earned her wings 6/26/05, Samantha, the bestest whineameezer...earned her wings 4/7/06.
Cat Board Monitor and Chat Host
Pet Hobbyist
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers